By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
ROSEBURG, Ore.– Kennedy capitalized on its opportunities in an 11–1 victory over Umpqua Valley Christian on Saturday afternoon.
Over the opening two innings of the game, the Trojans drew eight walks, collected seven hits and that resulted in 11 runs in the rematch of last season’s 2A/1A State TItle Game. The difference was, ultimately, that Kennedy was able to find the gaps in Saturday’s game compared to when the two met last June in Eugene.
“It’s just working. The entire Summer, the Fall and some of the guys were in the cages in the Winter so we can get the bats rolling. It was the accumulation of a lot of time spent in the cages,” said Creo Walker.
By the third inning, Kennedy led the Monarchs 11–1. Umpqua Valley Christian’s lone run came on a sacrifice fly by Caleb York in the bottom of the first. The Trojans had the momentum on their side as they forced the Monarchs to go to their third pitcher of the game by the time Kennedy went out to bat in the top half of the third inning. Umpqua Valley Christian turned to Hunter Powell starting in the third frame of the game.
Powell settled down the Monarch defense and gave his offense a chance to try to chip away in the third, fourth and fifth innings of the game. But Umpqua Valley was met with people being in the right spots with the Kennedy defense.
The Trojans issued four walks, while Gio Vaquera and Henry Beyer combined to allow just two hits, keeping the game from extending beyond five innings. With how talented UVC is, Kennedy knew any kind of letting off the gas could give the Monarchs an opportunity to come back into the game.
“It was really big. If we would’ve given up a little bit after those first two innings, I think they’d come back pretty good. But it was pretty good that we stayed, stayed in the game and got the win,” said Beyer.
Beyer drove in two runs and struck out one pitching. Walker and Jake Beyer each drove in 2RBI’s each in the 11-1, five inning victory on Saturday.
The Trojans head to the Stanfield/Umatilla Tournament on Tuesday.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
